— CHAPTER 20; "i ran my credit card bill up, thought a new dress would make it better. i tried to work it away, but that just made me even sadder."
𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵!
❤︎ — /
Everyone was buzzing with excitement for their three-day weekend that Veteran's Day granted, with you and Alicia being some of the only ones with professional plans other than lounging set in stone. You two walked side-by-side out of the building.
"What a day," Alicia said.
"Yeah." Any 3-4 hours per day that you spend in this building is usually more constructive than your whole college weeks put together. Especially today, which gave you something to overthink and eventually cry about.
"Are you alright? Halimah really put you on the floor in there."
"Oh yeah. It's fine."
You two were about to take the usual fork in the road that you guys make to your cars, and just as you were about to move your lips to utter a goodbye, she put a hand on your arm. "Y/N, wait. I have a question."
You turned around to give her your fullest attention, "Were you gonna ask if I think you're an overachiever with imposter syndrome? Because I was gonna ask if you see that I'm a people-pleasing perfectionist."
Your jest prompted a chuckle from her, but it faded as she continued, "Actually, no. I've been wondering something for a while now."
You toned all of your joviality down into sincerity, "What is it?"
"Well, I know I've only met you recently, but I just often hear about how goofy and unhinged you tend to be, and I just feel like when it's just you and me, I don't see that side of you although we've been around each other for the better part of three weeks. I just wanted to address it. Is it the workplace energy? Is it something I've done?"
Your expression dropped, mirroring the descent that your heart felt. "Oh my, Alicia, no. I'm so sorry that I've let you think this."
"You can be honest with me. Do you not like me being with Benji? Is it one of the traits Halimah pointed out?"
"Alicia, no. Let's end all of this right here. You're one of the most brilliant, steadfast girls I've ever met, and I don't know how my cousin bagged you, but nothing else makes sense now that I've seen you guys together. I've been a bit... off lately. I'm so sorry that it's led you to think I feel any way about you besides adoration."
